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Prince Edward Island came into Canada via the railroad. Determined to forge an independent path, the Island chose not to join the new country when it was created in 1867. However, by 1871, Islanders decided their road to continued prosperity had to include a railway, and so they began to build one. Unfortunately, the railroad took longer and cost much more than planned. In 1873, running out of money, with the railroad only three-quarters complete, Islanders faced two choices - collapse or Confederation. They chose Confederation. Canada agreed to complete and run the railway, while Prince Edward Island agreed to become Canada's seventh province. Since the last engine rumbled off to the mainland one cold February night in 1989, the railroad has just been a memory of the Island. Elmira Railway Museum explores these memories and highlights some of the aspects of the railroad and railroading on Prince Edward Island.